Santa Cruz surfer Alo Slebir has described the massive swell at Maverick’s on December 23, 2024, as possibly the most epic day the legendary surf spot has ever seen. Speaking in Half Moon Bay on Christmas Eve, Slebir recalled the astonishing session, which he and his tow partner Luca Padua were at the forefront of.
“I’ve talked to some of the old-timers, and they’re saying this could have been the biggest swell ever recorded out there,” Slebir said. “It’s always a crazy sight when the waves start breaking, but yesterday was something else. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
Slebir, who balances his surfing career with construction work and representing surf brands, didn’t just witness the monster waves – he and Padua were the first out in the morning and stayed until late in the evening, when their jet ski was nearly out of fuel. When the swell reached its peak in the afternoon, Padua towed Slebir into what would become the most memorable wave of the day.
While claims of “biggest” or “best” days are often met with skepticism, the December 23 session has earned its place in Maverick’s storied history. With wave faces towering well over 60 feet, this session was undeniably one for the books. Though still unofficial, some are already calling it a record-breaking day. Renowned surfer Grant “Twiggy” Baker has even dubbed Slebir’s wave “a new world record.”
“It felt like everything was dialed in,” Slebir said, reflecting on the thrilling ride. “When I bottom-turned, it felt like the wave was pulling me back up. The speed was insane – every wave felt fast, but this one had a different pull to it. When I reached the channel and heard everyone screaming, I realized just how big it was.”
Due to a dense marine layer and persistent sea spray, the iconic session was difficult to capture from land. Hundreds of spectators lined the cliffs at Princeton-by-the-Sea, but only a few fortunate photographers and filmers on the water managed to document the day’s action. Among those also catching some of the day’s biggest waves were Peter and John Mel, Jojo Roper, Ryan Augenstein, and Lucas Chianca. Local surfer Michael Joshua even had a close encounter, getting knocked off the bottom by one of the massive sets.
Despite the challenging conditions, the session became a defining moment for the group of surfers, who faced a relentless display of nature’s power. Maverick’s veteran Peter Mel, who had competed in the Eddie the day before, explained that the long intervals between the waves – measured at up to 23 seconds – contributed to the massive energy of the swell.
“The longer the interval between swells, the more energy is transferred into the waves,” Mel explained. “Anything over 18 seconds is huge, and yesterday we saw readings above 23 seconds. The waves were moving so fast that I had to push the jet ski to its limits just to stay ahead of them. When I got towed into my first wave, it was the fastest I’ve ever gone on a surfboard.”
For Slebir and Padua, the experience was nothing short of surreal. “We were sitting way past the green buoy on our skis, probably half a mile out from the rocks,” Slebir recalled. “And waves were still breaking in front of us – just huge rollers, but to witness that was insane. It was a day that will go down in history.”
As the dust settles from what was undoubtedly one of Maverick’s most monumental days, the memories of December 23, 2024, will be etched into the minds of those who were there to experience it firsthand. For Slebir, Padua, and the other surfers who braved the monstrous waves, it was a day they’ll never forget.
Related topics
- Patrick Lefevere’s Cycling Legacy
- Joe Blackmore Reflects on 2024 Success and Future Ambitions
- The Joy of Cycling-Themed Christmas Gifts